Biomarkers of sarcopenia in clinical trials—recommendations from the International Working Group on Sarcopenia

Abstract

Sarcopenia, the age-related skeletal muscle decline, is associated with relevant clinical and socioeconomic negative outcomes in older persons. The study of this phenomenon and the development of preventive/therapeutic strategies represent public health priorities. The present document reports the results of a recent meeting of the International Working Group on Sarcopenia (a task force consisting of geriatricians and scientists from academia and industry) held on June 7–8, 2011 in Toulouse (France). The meeting was specifically focused at gaining knowledge on the currently available biomarkers (functional, biological, or imaging-related) that could be utilized in clinical trials of sarcopenia and considered the most reliable and promising to evaluate age-related modifications of skeletal muscle. Specific recommendations about the assessment of aging skeletal muscle in older people and the optimal methodological design of studies on sarcopenia were also discussed and finalized. Although the study of skeletal muscle decline is still in a very preliminary phase, the potential great benefits derived from a better understanding and treatment of this condition should encourage research on sarcopenia. However, the reasonable uncertainties (derived from exploring a novel field and the exponential acceleration of scientific progress) require the adoption of a cautious and comprehensive approach to the subject.

Effect of resistance training with different frequencies and detraining on muscular strength and oxidative stress biomarkers in older women

“…The OS also has been associated with the loss of muscular strength with aging (Cesari et al 2012;Howard et al 2007). Older women are particularly at greater risk for muscular strength loss, since women have lower levels of muscular strength compared to men (Brady et al 2014;Hughes et al 2001).…”

Psoas as a sentinel muscle for sarcopenia: a flawed premise

“…Quantitative approaches are required to diagnose and study this muscle loss, and these are represented in the literature predominantly by dual energy X‐ray (DXA), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging 1. Total appendicular skeletal muscle by DXA has been considered the standard quantitative measure1 and appears in nearly 500 publications. The application of CT has recently been popularized in patients who had an indication for CT scan as part of their standard medical care.…”

“…In the end, it is not surprising that the notion of a single sentinel muscle for the diagnosis of sarcopenia is not proposed by any expert group,1, 2 as it would be difficult to claim that any one muscle is representative. While it is hoped that the quantification of human skeletal muscle mass might be made more accessible and rapid, this aim may be more realistically be achieved by automation of the total muscle segmentation in CT images 13…”

Clinical definition and diagnostic criteria for sarcopenia

“…Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is a simple method that has also been used despite its lack of accuracy. While imaging diagnostic modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) allow for accurate measurements of muscle mass, these methods are cost prohibitive [56][57][58] .…”

“…The relationship between biomarkers and sarcopenia has been reported 57,58,62) , and the usefulness of measuring several biomarker candidates, including inflammatory biomarkers, clinical parameters, hormones, and products of oxidative damage, has been studied. Biomarkers that can be obtained from blood and urine may be beneficial, as there is little burden on the patient.…”